A rollercoaster of weather extremes: Drought and heat waves are creating UK's climate whiplash

The UK is bouncing from one type of extreme weather to another this year. This is climate whiplash. Caused by changes in the fast-moving body of air high in the atmosphere called the jet stream, climate whiplash has become more likely with climate change. These constant shifts in extreme weather make it challenging to build resilience.

The top 3

  1. UK's Top 3 Hottest Summers on Record: The UK's warmest summer on record was 2025 with a mean temperature of 16.10°C, surpassing 2018 (15.76°C) and 2006 (15.8°C) in a series dating back to 1884, with all top five warmest summers occurring since 2003.
  2. UK's Most Significant Historical Droughts: The 1976 drought is considered one of the most severe meteorological droughts in recent UK history, following a dry 1975-76 winter and one of the hottest and driest summers on record. England also experienced its driest 18-month period in 100 years from 2010 to early 2012, leading to widespread water restrictions. Provisional data indicates July 2026 is on track to be the driest July for England and Wales in 190 years.
  3. UK's Top 3 Record-Breaking Heatwaves: The 2022 heatwave saw the UK's all-time temperature record broken at 40.3°C (104.5°F) in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on July 19. The 1976 heatwave was notable for its sustained intensity, with 16 days exceeding 32°C (89.6°F). The 2026 heatwaves broke multiple monthly records, including 35.1°C (95.2°F) in May at Kew Gardens and 38.0°C (100.4°F) in June at Lingwood, Norfolk.

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